Bruce has paired them in central midfield for two of the last three games - both of which Blues won.

They have made light of Robbie Savage's sale, and enabled Julian Gray and Jermaine Pennant to cause havoc high up the pitch on the flanks.

"I thought Johnson and Clemence were absolutely magnificent against Liverpool, and they were against Southampton too," said the manager.

"They were very disciplined, they sat and protected the defence and they had to because, let's be fair, we've had two wingers out there in Gray and Pennant.

"They've given us that presence, which is what you need. They've given a licence to the wide ones to go and do their stuff."

Not since Barry Fry's days have Blues had two genuine wingers like them (Bruce primarily offset Jepser Gronkjaer with David Dunn or Johnson this season and never once used the Dane and Stan Lazaridis on either touchline).

Even at Manchester United he was sufficiently daring to opt for Gray and Pennant.

"The one thing it does when we go like that is bring a good balance to the team," he said.

"Everyone's in their right holes, we've got a left-sider playing on that wing, and a right-sider on the right, as well as an inside left on his best side [Emile Heskey] up front."

Bruce also revealed his satisfaction that Gray has rekindled the form that initially marked him off as one of the Premierships finds of the season and generated talk of an England call up.

Gray returns to Crystal Palace on Saturday for the first time since quitting Selhurst Park on a Bosman free transfer in the summer.

"It's his first full season in the Premier League don't forget," said Bruce, offering a reason for his mid-season dip.

"For someone on a free transfer, he's done very well.

"There was a time when, yes, he needed a little rest. That's natural now.

"Gone are the days now when you could play week in, week out at Premier League level. It's just not possible.

"Because of the intensity and the tempo you've got to play at - especially us - it's very, very demanding.

"But on the whole, I've been very pleased with Julian's contribution, in midfield and at left-back."